GTA's Eco-Business Zone In Demand As Companies Seek Out New Approaches To
Reduce Energy Costs

    
    -Partners in Project Green to Launch Clinton Climate Initiative
    Purchasing Alliance for the Pearson Eco Business Zone-
    

TORONTO , Oct. 15 /CNW/ - Partners in Project Green (PPG), an initiative lead by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), continues to develop innovative ways for businesses surrounding Toronto Pearson to reduce resource costs and green their bottom line. This year has seen a growing number of businesses get involved in the project to collaborate and reduce energy and resource costs.

Several Partners in Project Green leaders, from large to small companies, have already realized increased savings - GTAA has reduced its energy costs by $4 million annually; Lange Transportation has cut their natural gas bill by $60,000 a year by installing a geo-thermal system; and between 2002 and 2008, Molson saw a 39% reduction in natural gas use, 27% reduction in electricity use and a 36% reduction in water use. Building on the lessons learned by these leaders, Unisource Canada worked with Partners in Project Green to put the lessons to work at their Mississauga facility.

"After Unisource went through the Partners in Project Green Eco-Efficiency Program, we found some significant energy improvements," said Andrew Gustyn, Corporate Sustainability Officer, Unisource Canada . "We were then provided with energy efficient lighting proposals through the Purchasing Alliance which has the potential to significantly impact our energy footprint."

Now Partners in Project Green is launching a new program to help even more companies green their bottom line. On October 15th, 2009 , Partners in Project Green will be launching the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) Purchasing Alliance (PA). Through the CCI PA, area businesses will be eligible for discounts of up to 45 per cent on green building envelope technologies and products, such as lighting, HVAC and roofing systems. These products can significantly reduce energy requirements to heat and cool buildings, while saving money.

The CCI PA is a program to accelerate the adoption of energy efficient products worldwide. The PA negotiates reductions in the cost of energy saving technologies by leveraging the incremental sales opportunity provided by its partners like Partners in Project Green and the City of Toronto .

"The Clinton Climate Initiative Purchasing Alliance is another way in which Partners in Project Green is helping businesses green their bottom line," Brian Denney , CAO, Toronto and Region Conservation. "Thanks to the great work being done by the business-led steering committee, Partners in Project Green is able to deliver innovative programs and projects such as the new Purchasing Alliance."

The steering committee, works in partnership with TRCA and GTAA, and is comprised of private and public sector leaders that have a direct interest in the Pearson Eco-Business Zone, including:

    
    GTAA                                   Bentall Real Estate
    Unilever                               Lange Transportation,
    Woodbine Entertainment Group           Kuehne & Nagel
    Molson                                 Monteco Group
    Bayer Inc.                             Orlando Corporation
    Maple Leaf Foods                       Oxford Properties
    Brampton Board of Trade                Mississauga Board of Trade
    Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters   Region of Peel
    Enersource Corporation                 City of Mississauga
    Weston Ltd.                            City of Brampton
    Unisource                              City of Toronto
    Canadian Tire                          Bob Delaney, MPP Mississauga
                                            Streetsville
    

New program announcements will be made at PPG's "Turning Green into Gold: An Evening of Sustainability Networking with Partners in Project Green" to be held on October 15, 2009 at 5:30pm at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority's Fire and Emergency Training Institute at Toronto Pearson International Airport (2025 Courtney Drive East, Mississauga).

For more information, visit www.partnersinprojectgreen.com

For further information: Media contacts for information and registration: Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation, Tel: [phone] ext 5632, Mobile: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Scott Armstrong, Manager, Media and Communications, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, GTAA Media Office, [phone]